Joints and connections – Manually releaseable latch type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-30
2001-03-20
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3626)
Joints and connections
Manually releaseable latch type
C403S231000, C016S384000, C024S350000, C217S065000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203235
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fasteners for assembling two adjacent panels of a box or crate, and retainers for securing the fasteners to the panel. More specifically, the present invention relates to L-shaped fasteners for assembling two adjacent cleated panels or slotted panels, and retainers mounted on the panel or cleat for securing the fasteners to the panel.
The term “box” and the term “crate” will be used interchangeably throughout this document to encompass any structure with at least two panels assembled together. Many types of fasteners can be used to assemble the box or crate. The boxes and crates are also disassembled for more compact storage when they are not being used. Some types of fasteners, such as nails and staples, are damaged during disassembly and are, thus, not reusable for a later assembly. Other types of fasteners, such as those illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,897 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,154,828 do not sustain damage during disassembly and are, thus, reusable for a later assembly. These reusable fasteners are generally L-shaped with tabs on each end.
The panels of the boxes or crates have either slots milled into the panels or a surrounding frame of four cleats around the peripheral edge of the panels. Two adjacent panels are assembled with the reusable fasteners by hooking one tab of the fastener over the edge of a cleat, or into a milled slot, of one panel, and spanning the joint between the adjacent panels by hooking the other tab over the edge of a cleat, or into a milled slot, of the other panel. The reusable fasteners are locked into place by the action of the two tabs against either the cleats or the inside of the slots. Multiple fasteners are used along the joint between the adjacent panels. When the boxes or crates are disassembled, the reusable fasteners are physically separated from the box or crate. This leads to problems such as misplacing or losing the fasteners, and exposing the fasteners to damage from objects larger than the fasteners. Since the reusable fasteners may be needed to assemble a box or crate at a later time, there is a need to prevent misplacement, loss, and damage of the fasteners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a reusable fastener that is prevented from becoming misplaced, lost, or damaged between panel disassembly and panel assembly.
This and other objects and advantages are provided in a fastener assembly for fastening together two adjacent cleated panels of a crate which is improved over prior devices in that a retainer secures the crate fastener to the cleated crate panel. In a first cleated embodiment, the retainer has a plate with one end mounted between the cleat and the panel, and the other end forming a loop adjacent to the interior edge of the cleat for pivotally connecting the crate fastener to the retainer.
In a second cleated embodiment, the retainer has a plate with one end mounted on the bottom surface of the cleat, and the other end forming a loop adjacent to the interior edge of the cleat for pivotally connecting the crate fastener to the retainer. For example, the panel may not be continuous, but instead may have gaps. In this case, the retainer may be mounted at a point on the cleat adjacent to a panel gap by mounting the retainer on the bottom of the cleat instead of between the cleat and the panel.
An improved fastener assembly for fastening together two adjacent slotted panels of a crate has a retainer for securing the crate fastener to the slotted crate panel. The retainer has a plate with one end mounted on the interior surface of the panel, and the other end forming a loop aligned with the panel slot for pivotally connecting the crate fastener to the retainer.
In addition, this and other objects and advantages are provided in a method of securing a crate fastener to a cleated crate panel which is improved over prior art methods in that the method performs the steps of forming a loop at one end of a plate, mounting the other end of the plate between a cleat and the panel such that the loop is adjacent to the interior edge of the cleat, and pivotally connecting the crate fastener to the loop.
In another aspect of the invention, the method secures a crate fastener to a cleated crate panel with gaps in the panel. The method is improved over prior art methods in that the method performs the steps of forming a loop at one end of a plate, mounting the other end of the plate on the bottom surface of the cleat such that the loop is adjacent to the interior edge of the cleat, and pivotally connecting the crate fastener to the loop.
In a further aspect of the invention, the improved method secures a crate fastener to a slotted crate panel. The method is improved over prior art methods in that the method performs the steps of forming a loop at one end of a plate, mounting the other end of the plate on the interior surface of the panel such that the loop is aligned with a panel slot, and pivotally connecting the crate fastener to the loop.
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Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Klimp Industries, Inc.
McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd.
LandOfFree
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